Dubrovnik emigrant history highlighted in lecture

Historian Dr. Aida Cvjetković delivered a lecture titled ‘Našijenci u svijetu’ (Our People in the World) in Dubrovnik, detailing the history of 19th-century emigrants from the Dubrovnik region and Elafiti islands who moved to South America.

Driven by poverty, unemployment, and the collapse of viticulture due to phylloxera and peronospora, these individuals often started as laborers but eventually built significant business empires. Notable figures discussed include Pasko Baburica, who became a ‘king of saltpeter’ and the first honorary citizen of Dubrovnik; Ivo Kuljevan, a merchant; Federiko Glavić, who invested in maritime and tourism sectors; and the Mihanović brothers.

Despite their immense success and philanthropic contributions to their homeland, Cvjetković noted that many of these figures lack formal recognition, such as streets named after them, raising questions about how well their legacy is preserved in collective memory.